A hoppin' new place for dogs to play

The new agility course at Happy Tails Dog Park has plenty of obstacles for hours of climbing, jumping, running and sniffing.

By EILEEN SCHULTE
Published May 22, 2005

DUNEDIN - It turns out dogs really do go to heaven.

At least, those in Dunedin do.

And they don't even have to die to get there. They hop in the car and go with their owners to a 3-acre slice of paradise called the Happy Tails Dog Park.

A doggie agility course was installed May 14, and it has been providing hours of fun for Ozzie, Dizzy, Beta and the other furry regulars who visit the park.

They've been trying out obstacles such as "King of the Hill," a 4-foot-high, A-frame ramp with a paw friendly surface, and the "Doggie Crawl," a 6-foot-long vinyl tunnel decorated with bones.

There is also a tire jump, a window jump - be careful teaching Buster to sail through that one; it looks very much like an open window in a house - and the "Puppy Hop," with low, horizontal bars for little legs.

Built by 15-year-old Jeff Cluff, who is working toward his Eagle Scout badge, and Boy Scout Troop 84, the course is located within the "big dog" enclosure at the Louis A. Vanech Recreation Complex, 3051 Garrison Road.